Living cells encapsulated in crosslinked protein
First Claim
1. A process for the encapsulation of living cells which comprises:
- (a) dispersing living cells in an aqueous solution of a capsule wall-forming protein;
(b) forming aqueous droplets of said cell-containing dispersion in an aqueous-immiscible, cell compatible continuous processing medium;
(c) crosslinking said protein with a crosslinking agent which is soluble in said continuous processing medium but substantially insoluble in said aqueous droplets thus forming crosslinked capsules, and adding to the formed crosslinked capsules a capsule wall degradation enzyme for a time sufficient to enlarge pore sizes in said walls to a predetermined average size.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Living cells are encapsulated by: (a) dispersing living cells in an aqueous solution of a capsule wall-forming protein; (b) forming aqueous droplets of the cell containing dispersion in an aqueous-immiscible, cell compatible continuous processing medium; and (c) crosslinking the protein with a crosslinking agent which is soluble in the continuous processing medium but substantially insoluble in the aqueous droplets. The resultant capsules containing living cells may be treated with a capsule wall degrading enzyme to enlarge pores of the capsules. The encapsulated cells may be used for administration of cells to an animal for growing the cells in the animal or for delivery to the animal of a substance produced by the cells. By the cells being encapsulated, the cells are not destroyed by the aminal immune system and immune response by the animal may be minimized.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A process for the encapsulation of living cells which comprises:
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(a) dispersing living cells in an aqueous solution of a capsule wall-forming protein; (b) forming aqueous droplets of said cell-containing dispersion in an aqueous-immiscible, cell compatible continuous processing medium; (c) crosslinking said protein with a crosslinking agent which is soluble in said continuous processing medium but substantially insoluble in said aqueous droplets thus forming crosslinked capsules, and adding to the formed crosslinked capsules a capsule wall degradation enzyme for a time sufficient to enlarge pore sizes in said walls to a predetermined average size. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification